Vertebral fracture and dislocation patterns, location of injuries, and 6-month clinical outcomes in cats: A retrospective study

This study investigates the vertebral fracture and dislocation patterns, spinal cord segment injury location, paretic grading, and the 6-month outcome in cats at a university veterinary hospital. The medical records and radiographs of cats with traumatic injuries were reviewed from October 2016 to December 2019. Eighty-nine cats were diagnosed with vertebral fracture and dislocation. The most damaged location was T3–L3 (36/89, 40.45%), followed by L4–L7 (33/89, 37.07%), S1–S3 (18/89, 20.22), C1–C5 (1/89, 1.12%), and C6–T2 (1/89, 1.12%). The patterns of vertebral damage could be classified as burst/compression (24/89, 26.96%), subluxation (19/89, 21.35%), complete luxation (16/89, 17.97%), combined fracture, and luxation (19/89, 21.35%), transverse fracture (10/69, 11.23%), and hyperextension (1/89, 1.12%). No hyperflexion-damaged pattern was detected in 89 cats. The T3–L7 lesion data was thoroughly examined (69 cats). Most of them preferred non-surgical treatment (33/69, 47.83%). Only 30 cats in the non-surgical group and 4 cats in the surgical group had tracking information. Six months after treatment, 60% of cats in the non-surgical group had better outcomes (18/30), while 66.67% of cats in the surgical group had better outcomes (4/6). Two cats in the surgical group had died of parvovirus infection. The mortality rate increased from 16.67% (6/36) at 3 months to 25% (9/36) at 6 months after treatment. All cats with paretic grade 5 had a poor prognosis. Most cats with paretic grades 1–4 receiving treatment had better clinical outcomes within 6 months and gradually improved. Follow-up should be performed for >6 months

Current perspectives on ruminant sperm freezability: Harnessing molecular changes related to semen quality through omics technologies

The recent advances in sperm cryopreservation transcend cryobanking and other assisted reproductive technologies. Since its discovery, cryopreservation has contributed positive impacts on animal breeding as well as in genetic exchange, improvement, and conservation efforts. However, cryoinjury and variabilities in cryopreservation outcomes remain as key challenges to sperm cryobiology. The present work explored the molecular bases for such freezability differences and freezing-thawing injuries in the ruminant sperm. Relevant biomarkers identified in the seminal plasma and the spermatozoa were highlighted, including lipids, proteins, metabolites, transcripts, and genes. Specific molecular mechanisms concerning sperm structures and functions were also examined relative to their association to cryotolerance, and spermiogram or seminogram modifications following cryopreservation procedures. Current conflicts and gaps in the knowledge base on ruminant spermatozoa were also emphasized. Further investigation of these areas using the available breakthrough molecular tools such as omics technologies is therefore proposed to improve, optimize, or even predict the overall quality of frozen-thawed ruminant semen towards reproductive efficiency

Diagnosis of Mycoplasma Mastitis: Validation and Development

Microbiological culture of milk samples has been used as a standard diagnosis for mycoplasma mastitis. It is suggested to perform with fresh samples for optimum diagnosis. Submission of fresh samples is often difficult given the logistics of collection and shipping of milk samples from farm to laboratory. Therefore, milk samples are usually chilled or frozen before culture. A study of the effects of storage methods on the recovery of Mycoplasma species from milk samples was performed. The results indicated that holding milk at refrigerated temperatures (5°C) for 5 days and freezing milk samples (-20°C) lowers the number of recovered Mycoplasma species. Moreover the addition of glycerol prior freezing to achieve 10% and 30% (v/v) solutions was found to improve the recovery of Mycoplasma species from frozen milk samples.Even though a Mycoplasma-like-colony is observed by a standard culture method, the diagnosis can be misinterpreted as Acholeplasma species which is indistinguishable by culture. To validate and suggest techniques used to discriminate between these two genera, a study on the discrimination between Mycoplasma and Acholeplasma using digitonin and nisin disc diffusion assays, and PCR was performed. Findings revealed a high and comparable efficiency of using nisin and digitonin disc diffusion assays and PCR to distinguish Mycoplasma and Acholeplasma species.Given the fastidious nature of Mycoplasma species, and the time-consuming nature of the standard culture method, a diagnostic test of mycoplasma mastitis that is more sensitive, less time consuming, and can speciate mycoplasma mastitis pathogens would be valuable. The development of real-time PCR assays to detect 3 major mycoplasma mastitis pathogens: M. bovis, M. californicum and M. bovigenitalium was investigated to provide an alternative diagnostic tool for mycoplasma mastitis. The results given by the novel real-time PCR assays showed a perfect agreement with the gold standard, and the results were obtained within 4-5 hours.The overall goal of studies reported herein was to investigate improvements in the efficiency of the diagnosis of mycoplasma mastitis in dairy cows. Findings indicate that both phenotypic and genotypic diagnostic techniques can be applied, and in conjunction with current standard techniques, will better identify cows with mycoplasma mastitis

Association of Mastitis and Farm Management with Contamination of Antibiotics in Bulk Tank Milk in Southwest, China

Bovine mastitis could reduce the milk production and the quality of the bulk tank milk (BTM). Antibiotic treatments through intramammary or parenteral methods are being widely used in dairy farms. A cross-sectional study to investigate for general farm management and pre-test the questionnaire was performed in Southwestern Yunnan province, China. A total of 134 dairy farms were included. Milking cows of each farm were determined for the presence of clinical (CM) and sub-clinical (SCM) mastitis using the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Rates of CM and SCM in studied farms ranged from 2–11%, and 24–69%, respectively. The incidence of antibiotic residues in BTM of all farms was very high (32%, 44/134). All antibiotic contaminated samples were from smallholder dairy farms. Factors significantly associated with the presence of antibiotic contamination included farm region, antibiotics usage, persons performing mastitis treatment, and rates of CM. Rates of CM were significantly associated with the farm region, cleanliness of udders before milking, and the number of milking cows. Our results emphasize that the risk factors of dairy farm management should be paid attention, which can reduce mastitis prevalence and antibiotic contamination in BTM in Southwestern China

Performance of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Technique in Milk Samples for the Diagnosis of Bovine Tuberculosis in Dairy Cattle Using a Bayesian Approach

This study aimed to estimate the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and single intradermal tuberculin (SIT) tests for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in dairy cattle in Thailand using a Bayesian approach. The SIT test was performed in 203 lactating dairy cattle from nine dairy farms located in Chiang Mai province, Thailand. Milk samples were collected for the LAMP test. Kappa analysis was performed to determine the agreement between the two tests. A one-population conditional independence Bayesian model was applied to estimate the Se and Sp of the two tests. Of 203 dairy cattle, 2 were positive for the SIT test using standard interpretation, whereas 38 were positive for the LAMP test. A poor agreement (kappa = 0) was observed between the two tests. The median Se and Sp of the SIT test using standard interpretation were 63.5% and 99.1%, respectively. The median Se and Sp of the LAMP test were 67.2% and 82.0%, respectively. The estimated true prevalence of bTB was 3.7%. The LAMP test with milk samples can potentially be used as a non-invasive screening test for the diagnosis of bTB in dairy cattle

Table_1_Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in dairy farms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.DOCX

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an opportunistic bacterium that causes many human and animal infections worldwide. MRSA infections are classified as priority infections owing to their high morbidity and mortality, with a significant risk of zoonotic transmission. This study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of MRSA in dairy cattle farms and its heterogeneity. Relevant studies were retrieved from three databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The pooled prevalence of MRSA in dairy farms was estimated using a random-effects model. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were used to assess the probable sources of heterogeneity. Sensitivity and publication bias analyses were also performed. A total of 94 articles were eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of MRSA was estimated to be 3.81% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 2.61–5.20] with significantly high heterogeneity (I2 = 96.6%, p = 0.00). For the subgroup analysis among continents, the prevalence was highest in Asia (4.89%; 95% CI = 2.88–7.35) and lowest in South America (1.33%, 95% CI = 0.00–5.49). As for the year of publication, MRSA prevalence was highest in reports published from 2015 to 2018 (4.36%, 95% CI = 2.41–6.80) and lowest in reports published before 2015 (2.65%, 95% CI = 0.75–5.52). As for sample type, the prevalence of MRSA in cattle milk (3.91%, 95% CI = 2.64–5.39) was higher than that in other sample types (1.19%, 95% CI = 0.05–3.24). These three factors were not significantly associated with the pooled prevalence of MRSA (p > 0.05). Therefore, the findings of this study indicate that the prevalence of MRSA has been minimal and consistent in dairy cattle farms over time.</p

The effects of quercetin on microRNA and inflammatory gene expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated bovine neutrophils

Aim: To investigate gene expression of microRNA (miRNA) milieus (MIRLET7E, MIR17, MIR24-2, MIR146A, and MIR181C), inflammatory cytokine genes (interleukin 1β [IL1B], IL6, CXCL8, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]), and the pathogen receptor toll-like receptor (TLR4) in bovine neutrophils under quercetin supplementation. Materials and Methods: Isolated bovine neutrophils were incubated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide under quercetin treatment or left untreated. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the expression of the miRNAs and messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts in neutrophils. Results: Quercetin-treated neutrophils exhibited a remarkable suppression in MIR24-2, MIR146A, and MIR181C expression. Similarly, mRNA expression of IL1B, IL6, CXCL8, TLR4, and TNF genes noticeably declined in the quercetin group. Many proinflammatory genes (IL1B, IL6, and CXCL8) and the pathogen receptor TLR4 had a negative correlation with MIR146A and MIR181C as revealed by Pearson correlation. Conclusion: Interaction between cognate mRNAs and miRNAs under quercetin supplementation can be summarized as a positive or negative correlation. This finding may help understand the effects of quercetin either on miRNA or gene expression during inflammation, especially as a potentially applicable indicator in bovine mastitis

Effect of Temperature on the Expression of Classical Enterotoxin Genes among Staphylococci Associated with Bovine Mastitis

Staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP), caused by the contamination of staphylococcal enterotoxins, is a common foodborne disease worldwide. The aims of this study were: (1) to investigate classical staphylococcal enterotoxin genes, sea, seb, sec, sed, and see, among Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) associated with bovine mastitis; (2) to determine the effect of temperature on the expression of classical staphylococcal enterotoxin genes in staphylococci in milk. The detection of classical staphylococcal enterotoxin genes was performed using S. aureus (n = 51) and CNS (n = 47). The expression of classical enterotoxin genes, including sea, seb, sec, and see, was determined during the growth of staphylococci in milk subjected to ultra-high-temperature processing at two different temperatures: 8 °C and room temperature. Classical staphylococcal enterotoxin genes were expressed more frequently in S. aureus (35.30%) than in CNS (12.77%). The sec gene was most frequently detected in S. aureus (29.41%) and CNS (6.38%). Moreover, the expression of sea and sec was significantly higher at room temperature than at 8 °C after 16 h of incubation (p &lt; 0.05). These results emphasize the importance of maintaining the storage temperature of milk below 8 °C to reduce the risk of SFP

Discrimination between Mycoplasma and Acholeplasma species of bovine origin using digitonin disc diffusion assay, nisin disc diffusion assay, and conventional polymerase chain reaction

Microbiological culture of milk samples has been used as a standard diagnosis for Mycoplasma mastitis. This technique is effective in isolating mollicutes that are Mycoplasma-like; however, isolates may be misinterpreted as Acholeplasma species, which are indistinguishable from Mycoplasma species by culture. A study to contrast the abilities of 2 culture-based tests, digitonin and nisin disc diffusion assays and a conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, to discriminate between Mycoplasma and Acholeplasma was performed using 16S ribosomal RNA gene partial sequencing as the gold standard of comparison. A total of 288 bovine mollicute field isolates (248 from milk and 40 from other organ sites) and 13 reference strains were tested. Results obtained from the digitonin disc diffusion assay when it was performed with all field isolates were 92.7% and 99.0% in agreement with the gold standard using 5 mm and 3 mm of zone of growth inhibition as thresholds, respectively. Considering only milk isolates, agreements between the digitonin disc diffusion assay with the gold standard were 97.2% and 100% using 5 mm and 3 mm of zone of growth inhibition as thresholds, respectively. Culture identification using the nisin disc diffusion assay and the PCR was in a 100% agreement with the gold standard. Comparable results using culture-based nisin and digitonin disc diffusion assays, and PCR, to distinguish Mycoplasma and Acholeplasma species was found, especially for isolates from bovine milk